Top Dogg K9 Foundation was founded by Blake and Sheila Rashad in 2011 who are both US Army Veterans. Blake “Top Dogg” Rashad is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army as a K-9 Dog Trainer. He has been training dogs since the age of 12. The inspiration for launching Top Dogg K9 Foundation came as a result of Blake, himself, who has dealt with depression since his childhood. He always had a trained dog by his side and was able to hide his anxiety and depression for years from those around him. After his wife observed the noticeable difference when he was without his dog, she inspired him to start speaking about his challenges and to help others by training service dogs for them.

The plethora of emotional scars to his psyche still exists today. Blake knew he could take his expertise in dog training and his military background to make a tremendous impact on the future health and wellbeing of veterans through this nonprofit organization.